Brisbane Bold and Beautiful

Brisbane started out as a penal colony, much like Sydney had, but was meant for the most hardened of criminals; those incorrigible convicts who had committed the worst of crimes after having been sent to Sydney for earlier ones. Now, almost 200 years later, Brisbane is a most civilized city of 1.7 million who abide by strict rules and bylaws which keep the city spotlessly clean and orderly. Even smoking outdoors is prohibited on the Queens Mall, a pedestrian only area bursting with trendy shops, restaurants, bars and cafes.

The city centre is a successful mix of old and new, tons of effort and money spent on preserving the earlier architectural jewels. The more suburban areas brim with small, colourful houses built on steel stilts.

We spent part of the morning on the Hop On, Hop Off bus getting the lay of the land. After that we took a public bus to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary where to my endless delight we got close and personal with koalas of course, but also kangaroos, emus, Tasmanian devils, platypuses, dingos, wombats, birds, and even snakes. It was so worth it!

On the pics below spot the Joey climbing into momma's pouch and afterwards just his foot sticking out :)

We ended the day tired and having had a bit too much sun and heat, and decided to forgo the evening activities and instead order from room service. Really really liked Brisbane.

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